The 19th National Dialogue Council Umushyikirano is convening on January 23 and 24, bringing together various stakeholders to deliberate on critical national issues.
The government, in a statement released on January 13, outlined the primary agenda for the forum, which is set to explore topics integral to Rwanda’s development, unity, and the empowerment of its youth.
The 19th National Dialogue will offer a platform for Rwandans to assess development projects and their progress for the past seven years.
Umushyikirano is expected to discuss overarching themes including National Development, Unity and Resilience, and Youth Empowerment. Under the National Development umbrella, participants will engage in a comprehensive assessment of the strides made in improving the well-being of Rwandans.
This involves a meticulous examination of ongoing initiatives, successes achieved, and challenges faced in the pursuit of the nation’s developmental goals.
The dialogue also serves as an important platform for reflection on Rwanda’s journey towards unity and resilience, especially as the country approaches the 30th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
This aspect of the discussion will likely delve into the nation’s collective memory, emphasizing the importance of fostering unity and resilience in the face of historical challenges.
Youth Empowerment is a central pillar of the dialogue, acknowledging the pivotal role young Rwandans play in steering the nation towards a transformative future. The discussions will revolve around strategies and initiatives aimed at empowering the youth and equipping them with the necessary skills and opportunities to take on leadership roles in national development.
The timing of the Umushyikirano is particularly significant as it coincides with the conclusion of the seven-year National Strategy for Transformation (NST1) spanning from 2017 to 2024.
The NST1 served as a roadmap for the government’s economic development visions for 2020 and 2050, incorporating valuable insights from previous medium-term development strategies. The dialogue provides a platform to review the progress made under the NST1, identifying areas of success and areas that require further attention.
The dialogue’s outcomes are expected to be drawn into resolutions after the two-day event, often presided over by President Kagame. These resolutions will serve as guiding principles for the year ahead, influencing policies, actions, and initiatives across the spectrum of national development, unity, and youth empowerment.
The last edition of Umushyikirano took place in February 2023. It resolved to increase agricultural and livestock productivity through access to finance for farmers and to foster national unity and reconciliation.
Also among the key resolutions was the improvement of public transport, increased engagement of the diaspora in national development, improvement of the quality of education, and addressing issues in public service delivery.
There were also measures to curb inflationary pressures, enhance preventive measures against non-communicable diseases and improve the healthcare workforce, among other resolutions.